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198505 [2014/06/03 19:44] – [THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER] simon | 198505 [2014/12/06 19:42] (current) – [SEARCH and RESCUE PRACTICE] simon | ||
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| Winter - Cross-Country Skiing | David Rostron | 2 | | | Winter - Cross-Country Skiing | David Rostron | 2 | | ||
| Oh, Payanna | Peter Harris | 4 | | | Oh, Payanna | Peter Harris | 4 | | ||
- | | The Circus Comes to Bungonia! | Michelle de Vries Robb | 5 | | + | | The Circus Comes to Bungonia! | Michelle de Vries Robbe | 5 | |
| S.B.W. Place Names in the Budawangs | Frank Rigby | 7 | | | S.B.W. Place Names in the Budawangs | Frank Rigby | 7 | | ||
| Easter 1985 - The Deua National Park | Stuart Maxwell | 9 | | | Easter 1985 - The Deua National Park | Stuart Maxwell | 9 | | ||
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by David Rostron. | by David Rostron. | ||
- | With May, one's thoughts begin to turn to the coming winter, and that ultimate of recreations - skiing. I don't know of any activity which provides such adrenalin-pumping enjoyment. The ecstasy of being able to swing down a mountain-side at speed, without any form of mechanical.assistance, can provide some of the greatest " | + | With May, one's thoughts begin to turn to the coming winter, and that ultimate of recreations - skiing. I don't know of any activity which provides such adrenalin-pumping enjoyment. The ecstasy of being able to swing down a mountain-side at speed, without any form of mechanical assistance, can provide some of the greatest " |
Downhill skiing equipment provides great control but the experience does not quite equal that of the freedom associated with cross-country skiing. All this contemplation brings back fond memories of a relaxed four day trip in September, 1984. | Downhill skiing equipment provides great control but the experience does not quite equal that of the freedom associated with cross-country skiing. All this contemplation brings back fond memories of a relaxed four day trip in September, 1984. | ||
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There was a solo South Australian skier in residence who obviously appreciated our company. With Tom leading the warblers we had a delightful relaxed evening. Next morning there was again high overcast. The natural destinations were O' | There was a solo South Australian skier in residence who obviously appreciated our company. With Tom leading the warblers we had a delightful relaxed evening. Next morning there was again high overcast. The natural destinations were O' | ||
- | There was no eastern bank - just a steep drop into the river for 200-300 metres. Off came boots and sox for a knee-deep wade in painfully cold water. Again it was not Tom's day. He crossed, and after donning sox and boots discovered his gloves were on a rock on the other side. After his third wade he was in agony with cold feet and he received the massage treatment from both male and female. He expressed loving gratitude to Wendy whilst Wayne and we e virtually ignored. | + | There was no eastern bank - just a steep drop into the river for 200-300 metres. Off came boots and sox for a knee-deep wade in painfully cold water. Again it was not Tom's day. He crossed, and after donning sox and boots discovered his gloves were on a rock on the other side. After his third wade he was in agony with cold feet and he received the massage treatment from both male and female. He expressed loving gratitude to Wendy whilst Wayne and I were virtually ignored. |
- | Progress to O' | + | Progress to O' |
We were then exposed to a biting southwester and after climbing in shirts we quickly donned all our spare clothing and parkas. A quick appreciation of the view and then a rapid descent of the bowl, telemarking in new powder snow. The pleasured of wilderness skiing are many but it is difficult to surpass those of carving turns in untracked powder and then stopping and surveying the slope and those tracks. | We were then exposed to a biting southwester and after climbing in shirts we quickly donned all our spare clothing and parkas. A quick appreciation of the view and then a rapid descent of the bowl, telemarking in new powder snow. The pleasured of wilderness skiing are many but it is difficult to surpass those of carving turns in untracked powder and then stopping and surveying the slope and those tracks. | ||
- | For the following day we planned to go to Cesjack' | + | For the following day we planned to go to Cesjack' |
- | We set off before 7.00 am but after 20 minutes the snow stopped, the cloud lifted and there were ioatches pf blue sky. How weather affects our judgments in the mountains. We then became an indecisive rabble - equivocating for about 5 minutes before heading back past O' | + | We set off before 7.00 am but after 20 minutes the snow stopped, the cloud lifted and there were patches of blue sky. How weather affects our judgments in the mountains. We then became an indecisive rabble - equivocating for about 5 minutes before heading back past O' |
- | then to Cesjacks. On the run down to the Doubtful River there wasn't a cloud in the sky. | + | |
We passed Cesjacks and continued to the top of the Divide, arriving at Janga at 9.15 am. The birds had flown - that early sunshine must have dragged them out of their lethargy. We boiled up for morning tea on the front verandah. By this time it was again overcast and cold. A lone skier, Cora Knudsen, dropped in, also making a social call. He joined us for tea and reminiscing - Cora is a legend in that area. | We passed Cesjacks and continued to the top of the Divide, arriving at Janga at 9.15 am. The birds had flown - that early sunshine must have dragged them out of their lethargy. We boiled up for morning tea on the front verandah. By this time it was again overcast and cold. A lone skier, Cora Knudsen, dropped in, also making a social call. He joined us for tea and reminiscing - Cora is a legend in that area. | ||
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With the wood and water collecting chores completed we settled down at about 4.00 pm for an extended "happy hour" and then the evening meal. Brooks is without doubt the best designed hut in the mountains, with comfortable accommodation for up to 10 on the double Maori platforms. It is about 8' from the platforms to the fireplace. With a large table to one side and an ample number of stools it is really a delight. For four it was almost luxury. | With the wood and water collecting chores completed we settled down at about 4.00 pm for an extended "happy hour" and then the evening meal. Brooks is without doubt the best designed hut in the mountains, with comfortable accommodation for up to 10 on the double Maori platforms. It is about 8' from the platforms to the fireplace. With a large table to one side and an ample number of stools it is really a delight. For four it was almost luxury. | ||
- | The morning was mainl: | + | The morning was mainly |
Then followed a fast, scary descent on limited snow cover to Pollock' | Then followed a fast, scary descent on limited snow cover to Pollock' | ||
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On preying man, or on a wicked lurking fox which lies concealed \\ | On preying man, or on a wicked lurking fox which lies concealed \\ | ||
By cunning driven \\ | By cunning driven \\ | ||
- | To take its prize whateler | + | To take its prize whate' |
Through cunning striven. \\ | Through cunning striven. \\ | ||
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Of crimson light. \\ | Of crimson light. \\ | ||
Oh, Payanna, how you take your toll and tempt the whim of human soul, \\ | Oh, Payanna, how you take your toll and tempt the whim of human soul, \\ | ||
- | And lead the wandirer | + | And lead the wand' |
In torrid flight. \\ | In torrid flight. \\ | ||
But only man with wild urge can sit and watch your water' | But only man with wild urge can sit and watch your water' | ||
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by Michelle de Vries Rpbbe | by Michelle de Vries Rpbbe | ||
- | Well, here was I only one month back in the Sydney rat race after a year away from it all - and decided to have a weekend out in the bush to have a quiet commune with nature (and a few bushwalkers). So I called Roger Browne and added my name to the list of 18 pelple | + | Well, here was I only one month back in the Sydney rat race after a year away from it all - and decided to have a weekend out in the bush to have a quiet commune with nature (and a few bushwalkers). So I called Roger Browne and added my name to the list of 18 people |
- | Friday night began the festivities, | + | Friday night began the festivities, |
Saturday morning (which seemed to arrive far too soon before the required minimum sleeptime had elapsed) revealed that we had a few more noisy clowns and performers to add to the S.B.W. circus. The tone was set for anything but a quiet weekend. | Saturday morning (which seemed to arrive far too soon before the required minimum sleeptime had elapsed) revealed that we had a few more noisy clowns and performers to add to the S.B.W. circus. The tone was set for anything but a quiet weekend. | ||
- | After a very healthy early start, my first " | + | After a very healthy early start, my first " |
- | had been away from the Aussie bush for far too long - I was terrified at the prospect! (Yes me, and I'm not ashamed to admit it!). To my relief I discovered that I was not alone in my fear, and that a very kind " | + | |
- | us down the slope. (I felt the warm glow of eternal gratitude, but-little did I know how dearly I was going to pay for it later - gentleman indeed!) At the bottom I had a welcome extended lunch break to allow my jellified knees to resolidify while the others went to explore the Blockup on their lilos. | + | |
After lunch there was dissention in the troops, due to cool, cloudy weather, and two parties set off down the river - one on foot, and one on lilos. I was determined that I was going to use my lilo after I had carried it all that way, and even further to go! Naturally the foot party progressed quicker than the lilo party, but I bet we enjoyed it more, even though the others had great spectator value from watching us negotiating the " | After lunch there was dissention in the troops, due to cool, cloudy weather, and two parties set off down the river - one on foot, and one on lilos. I was determined that I was going to use my lilo after I had carried it all that way, and even further to go! Naturally the foot party progressed quicker than the lilo party, but I bet we enjoyed it more, even though the others had great spectator value from watching us negotiating the " | ||
- | We arrived at the campsite to find that Peter MIller had done a wonderful job of selecting the slope with the smallest gradient - and had built a fabulous campfire, which made him an instant (though temporary) hero with the thoroughly wet lilo party. However we discovered that there was no need to bother with the hero bit, as Peter was not meant to be 'a silent martyr | + | We arrived at the campsite to find that Peter MIller had done a wonderful job of selecting the slope with the smallest gradient - and had built a fabulous campfire, which made him an instant (though temporary) hero with the thoroughly wet lilo party. However we discovered that there was no need to bother with the hero bit, as Peter was not meant to be a silent martyr..... He let us know loud and clear how much effort had gone into making that fire by declaring in a loud voice (or normal voice for Peter) that he was "not going to make a song and dance about making the fire but..... " (I am sure that those who know Peter will not require further elaboration, |
Saturday night was a continuation of the S.B.W. circus which had been in progress all weekend - but I won't bore you with the details of endless banter, dirty (and a few clean) jokes and a huge bonfire to end all bonfires! | Saturday night was a continuation of the S.B.W. circus which had been in progress all weekend - but I won't bore you with the details of endless banter, dirty (and a few clean) jokes and a huge bonfire to end all bonfires! | ||
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wonderful to get to the end of the slogging, and know that the cars were a mere walk away, so I opened my pack in search of my car keys. To my amazement, there was a ROCK in there! Well, the mystery was revealed, and I just couldn' | wonderful to get to the end of the slogging, and know that the cars were a mere walk away, so I opened my pack in search of my car keys. To my amazement, there was a ROCK in there! Well, the mystery was revealed, and I just couldn' | ||
- | Later that night, in the local Mittagong chinese, it was suggested that I write to the Committee and complain about the " | + | Later that night, in the local Mittagong chinese, it was suggested that I write to the Committee and complain about the " |
Well, Roger, that was a memorable walk, I didn't have one muscle left that didn't ache for days afterwards! It was also memorable in that I haven' | Well, Roger, that was a memorable walk, I didn't have one muscle left that didn't ache for days afterwards! It was also memorable in that I haven' | ||
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This article refers to certain place names, both Past and present, which were given to features in the Budawangs by the late Ken Angel, a former member of S.B.W., in the 1950s. I do know something about the origins of these names but I am not, by any means, an authority on the subject. If any readers can contribute further information, | This article refers to certain place names, both Past and present, which were given to features in the Budawangs by the late Ken Angel, a former member of S.B.W., in the 1950s. I do know something about the origins of these names but I am not, by any means, an authority on the subject. If any readers can contribute further information, | ||
- | Ken Angel, as well as being a bushwalke:7, was also a prgfeasional | + | Ken Angel, as well as being a bushwalker, was also a professional |
- | I knew Ken in the fifties and walked with him on several occasions., I remember him as a pleasant young man who seemed determined to spread a few names (albeit sometimes contrived, e.g. the composite names) of his walking friends across his maps. Let's have a look at these place names. | + | I knew Ken in the fifties and walked with him on several occasions. I remember him as a pleasant young man who seemed determined to spread a few names (albeit sometimes contrived, e.g. the composite names) of his walking friends across his maps. Let's have a look at these place names. |
- | __BYANGEE WALLS:__ The book " | + | __BYANGEE WALLS:__ The book " |
- | to stay. It is interesting to note that JUNE'S RIDGE and BYATT' | + | |
- | __MT. RENWICK__ (now MT.OWEN): After Keith and/or Yvonne Renwick (present married name unknown to me). Keith and Yvonne were brother and sister and Yvonne will be particUlarly | + | __MT. RENWICK__ (now MT.OWEN): After Keith and/or Yvonne Renwick (present married name unknown to me). Keith and Yvonne were brother and sister and Yvonne will be particularly |
__MT. ROSWAINE__ (now MT COLE): Composite name, after Ross Laird and Betty Swain (now Armstrong? | __MT. ROSWAINE__ (now MT COLE): Composite name, after Ross Laird and Betty Swain (now Armstrong? | ||
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__ANGEL CREEK and ANGEL' | __ANGEL CREEK and ANGEL' | ||
- | A few other names on the sketch.maps look suspiciouslylike | + | A few other names on the sketch.maps look suspiciously like his work but I cannot throw any light on their origins. They are JOANEMLA WALLS, BETHOM HEAD and MT. STEVARD. |
Which names you will actually find on the map you use depends on what you have. The earlier C.M.W. sketch maps of the Budawangs bore Angel' | Which names you will actually find on the map you use depends on what you have. The earlier C.M.W. sketch maps of the Budawangs bore Angel' | ||
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===== CONGRATULATIONS ===== | ===== CONGRATULATIONS ===== | ||
to \\ | to \\ | ||
- | Ainslie | + | Ainslie |
Michael Reynolds | Michael Reynolds | ||
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by Stuart Maxwell. | by Stuart Maxwell. | ||
- | __THE PARTY:__ Don Finch (leader), Jennie Brown, Wendy Allan, Matthew Walton, Virgil Stephens and Stuart Maxwell. | + | __THE PARTY:__ Don Finch (leader), Jennie Brown, Wendy Aliano, Matthew Walton, Virgil Stephens and Stuart Maxwell. |
Last year's great Deua walk got forty starters. We were only three real bush walkers, two innocent prospectives and me. Why? Was it the 3,000 metres odd of climbing? (Or three other good Easter trips. Ed.) | Last year's great Deua walk got forty starters. We were only three real bush walkers, two innocent prospectives and me. Why? Was it the 3,000 metres odd of climbing? (Or three other good Easter trips. Ed.) | ||
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Morning tea on the Deua; this gentle, clear, permanent stream, dancing in the strong sunlight under tall river oaks was very different from last year's swollen river. A terrible cry announced Matthew' | Morning tea on the Deua; this gentle, clear, permanent stream, dancing in the strong sunlight under tall river oaks was very different from last year's swollen river. A terrible cry announced Matthew' | ||
- | All day we ascended the Deua and Woolla Creek. Suddenly at five, Don announced camp and before the tents were up or the fire lit, the heavens opened. A chillng | + | All day we ascended the Deua and Woolla Creek. Suddenly at five, Don announced camp and before the tents were up or the fire lit, the heavens opened. A chilling |
__Saturday: | __Saturday: | ||
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This time it was not so heavy and the fire was lit for dinner. Matthew, full of go, wanted us to stay up, recite and sing, but by nine he was alone at the fire, and we were contesting sleeping bags and tents with leeches. Feeling one inside my shirt, but too tired to bother, I tried to sleep but it kept tickling my armpit. | This time it was not so heavy and the fire was lit for dinner. Matthew, full of go, wanted us to stay up, recite and sing, but by nine he was alone at the fire, and we were contesting sleeping bags and tents with leeches. Feeling one inside my shirt, but too tired to bother, I tried to sleep but it kept tickling my armpit. | ||
- | Down Donovan and up Burra Creeks in the mOrning; beautiful mountain streams, clear, fast running and not too deep for creek-walking this time though | + | Down Donovan and up Burra Creeks in the morning; beautiful mountain streams, clear, fast running and not too deep for creek-walking this time though |
- | As an appetiser for lunch we climbed 600 metres to an unnamed point on the Merricumbene fire trail. Since we "could not get lost" the " | + | As an appetiser for lunch we climbed 600 metres to an unnamed point on the Merricumbene fire trail. Since we "could not get lost" the " |
Fortunately Matthew had been sent ahead. He roared down the mountain like a wild goat, chased by a kangaroo-hopping Don trying to prove something - a limp next day? He went on to the Deua and when the rest of us arrived after dark he welcomed us with a magnificent fire. Swims in the dark for enthusiasts, | Fortunately Matthew had been sent ahead. He roared down the mountain like a wild goat, chased by a kangaroo-hopping Don trying to prove something - a limp next day? He went on to the Deua and when the rest of us arrived after dark he welcomed us with a magnificent fire. Swims in the dark for enthusiasts, | ||
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All morning we reverse-tracked two horses on an Easter safari from Moruya: 150 miles! At Woolla three motorcross kids and six four-wheel drives in convoy overtook us; they had been fishing up river. As Vernon Davies, who settled the property in 1932, said, "The place is opening up." More's the pity. | All morning we reverse-tracked two horses on an Easter safari from Moruya: 150 miles! At Woolla three motorcross kids and six four-wheel drives in convoy overtook us; they had been fishing up river. As Vernon Davies, who settled the property in 1932, said, "The place is opening up." More's the pity. | ||
- | Back to the cars just in time to avoid another thunder storm, dine and catch the traffic' | + | Back to the cars just in time to avoid another thunder storm, dine and catch the traffic jam about 10 km from Marulan. A great weekend and a lovely bit of bush. |
===== A VALLEY IN MIND. ===== | ===== A VALLEY IN MIND. ===== | ||
- | by Bin gaible. | + | by Bill Gamble. |
- | On a fine, clear day in January, 1981, the Air New Zealand flight | + | On a fine, clear day in January, 1981, the Air New Zealand flight |
- | Travers Valley clearly amid the mountains and lakes. And on that summer afternoon memories of walking in the area flo(Jded | + | |
- | The New Zealand mountains, particularly | + | The New Zealand mountains, particularly |
- | The Travers is not isolated. In fact it must be one of the most accessible valleys in any of that country' | + | The Travers is not isolated. In fact it must be one of the most accessible valleys in any of that country' |
__Beeches and Snow Grass.__ \\ | __Beeches and Snow Grass.__ \\ | ||
- | To me, the Travers is an encapmilation | + | To me, the Travers is an encapsulation |
- | For the headwaters of the Travers River it is necessary to scramble up a rock-strewn gully into a cirque of peaks and sharp ridges around twin tarns. The tarns may be gained from Travers Saddle but that is not quite the same as following the river to its source. The place is seldom visited and if the snow is deep and the day fine and calm, one should find a :peacefulness and solitude well worth the seeking. | + | For the headwaters of the Travers River it is necessary to scramble up a rock-strewn gully into a cirque of peaks and sharp ridges around twin tarns. The tarns may be gained from Travers Saddle but that is not quite the same as following the river to its source. The place is seldom visited and if the snow is deep and the day fine and calm, one should find a peacefulness and solitude well worth the seeking. |
__Up to the Tarns.__ \\ | __Up to the Tarns.__ \\ | ||
- | In 1979, in fine weather and fresh snow, I found just that and wrote: "My intention was to spend the morning wandering around the head of the valley - an amphitheatre of srLow-covered peaks with-steep slopes of rock and snow grass - before returning to the Upper Travers Hut some time after | + | In 1979, in fine weather and fresh snow, I found just that and wrote: "My intention was to spend the morning wandering around the head of the valley - an amphitheatre of snow-covered peaks with-steep slopes of rock and snow grass - before returning to the Upper Travers Hut some time after lunch. In the crisp, still and brilliantly clear weather, I sat on the large boulder alongside the park sign which points to the saddle and thought a little more about what I was going to do this morning. It would have been easy to have found a slab of rock, stretched out in the sun and alternated between looking at the mountains and dozing. My inclination was to keep moving so I walked across the slope towards the head of the valley, more or less keeping parallel to the stream which was the beginning of the Travers River. |
- | lunch. In the drisp, still and brilliantly clear weather, I sat on the large boulder alongside the park sign which points to the saddle and thought a little more about what I was going to do this morning. It would have been easy to have found a slab of rock, stretched out in the sun and alternated between looking at the mountains and dozing. My inclination was to keep moving so I walked across the slope towards the head of the valley, more or less keeping parallel to the stream which was the beginning of the Travers River. | + | |
- | "In front of me the slope steepened to about 450 and ,I lapsed into the steady rhythm of plodding uphill towards the gully out of which tumbled the stream. I made good time to reach the base of the gully, as there were few things in my pack to slow progress - from memory, a lunch snack, parka and first-aid kit. A light pack takes much of the heat out of going uphill. | + | "In front of me the slope steepened to about 45 degrees |
- | "I had not intended to go any higher but the morning was still early and it seemed a good idea to scramble up the gully a little farther to see if the source of the river could be reached. The gully was filled with mostly large rocks and some snow, and picking my way upwards using hands and feet, I soon stood at the head of the gully. Ahead of me was a snow-filled notch and beneath water gurgled. There was a narrow rock ledge on the true left and it came out on a ridge about 30' above. From there on it was an easy walk across rock and snow to the small snow- filled basin and ice-covered tarns which are the headwaters of the Travers River. Rainbow Saddle lay beyond. The snow was fresh from a storm which had cleared two days before, and it crunched underfoot as I wandered quietly around the basin. It was the only sound. When I stopped the silence was complete." | + | "I had not intended to go any higher but the morning was still early and it seemed a good idea to scramble up the gully a little farther to see if the source of the river could be reached. The gully was filled with mostly large rocks and some snow, and picking my way upwards using hands and feet, I soon stood at the head of the gully. Ahead of me was a snow-filled notch and beneath water gurgled. There was a narrow rock ledge on the true left and it came out on a ridge about 30' above. From there on it was an easy walk across rock and snow to the small snow filled basin and ice-covered tarns which are the headwaters of the Travers River. Rainbow Saddle lay beyond. The snow was fresh from a storm which had cleared two days before, and it crunched underfoot as I wandered quietly around the basin. It was the only sound. When I stopped the silence was complete." |
- | The Travers will draw me back one day, as it has done before, probably in the autumn when it is quiet and there are few people about. I like it that way. It will be a time to again walk the length of the valley following the river from the lake's edge to the twin tarns below Rainbow Saddle, and to scramble to the tops along its serrated flanks. And there willbe | + | The Travers will draw me back one day, as it has done before, probably in the autumn when it is quiet and there are few people about. I like it that way. It will be a time to again walk the length of the valley following the river from the lake's edge to the twin tarns below Rainbow Saddle, and to scramble to the tops along its serrated flanks. And there will be fresh opportunities to go farther into side valleys such as the Arnst and up into the Cupola Basin. |
When it is time to go "up the Travers" | When it is time to go "up the Travers" | ||
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KANANGRA BOYD N.P. 22ND - 23RD JUNE, '85 | KANANGRA BOYD N.P. 22ND - 23RD JUNE, '85 | ||
- | __How to get there__ - Drive to JENOLAN CAVES and continue towards KANANGRA WALLS. Follow | + | __How to get there__ - Drive to JENOLAN CAVES and continue towards KANANGRA WALLS. Follow |
__Activities__ - 7.30 a.m. start for instruction, | __Activities__ - 7.30 a.m. start for instruction, |
198505.1401788644.txt.gz · Last modified: 2014/06/03 19:44 by simon